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Mitsu still looked concerned despite Shun's reassurance. The bruise that was forming looked pretty bad and would probably need a little bit of ice to keep it from getting worse. The lycan reached up to touch it gently, checking to see how sever it was hoping he wouldn't end up with a concussion.

"M-Maybe you should relax for a bit." Mitsu suggested.

Tom finally turned toward the pair once his parents and brother were out of sight. He was holding Ziggy close and the feline had relaxed in his hold like she belonged there. "I..I'm very sorry about my brother. He wasn't always the nicest but I never quite expected to uuhh...." He looked at the crate he had been stuffed in. "Get bound, gagged, and shipped off to Amityville."

"What will they do?" Mitsu asked, only turning away from Shun for a moment to address Tom with the question.

"I'm sure my mother will handle him. She's not one you cross lightly." He looked down at Ziggy in his arms and seemed to finally realize he was holding her and held her out for Mitsu to take. The cat was compliant at first until she shuffled and moved closer to Tom crawling up his arms and laying across his shoulders.

Mitsu frowned lightly not sure how to react, staring between Tom and the feline. "I...I think she prefers you.." She finally said with reluctance.

"W..what I...I couldn't take her from you." Tom pulled Ziggy from his shoulders and she barely complied. His eyes were sad as he looked down at the feline. "You've done such a good job raising her. She might have been left on the streets if you hadn't taken her in." He seemed to be thinking back, smiling as he pet the cat on the head. "She was feral when I first found her as a kitten. There are very few people she took a liking too but she really liked to perform when she was big enough to give it a try."

There was a sad look in her eyes and Mitsu turned to look at Shun when he took her hand. It was with hesitation she nodded. While she loved Ziggy, the cat seemed at home here. "I think...she misses being here." Mitsu said softly. Which was probably why she acted out against the people that came to visit and was often wild when let loose in Mitsu's room.

The lycan stepped a bit closer and pat Ziggy lightly on the head. "She looks like she f-feels at home here. I think s-she would only be sad if I took her back with me now." Mitsu knew what it was like to feel like she didn't have a home or didn't really belong. Was that how Ziggy felt? It seemed like she wanted to stay with the boil and Mitsu was afraid if she took her back it would only depress the feline. She would only be keeping her away from where she really wanted to be. In a way it would make her no better than Candace. "P-promise me you'll take good care of her."

Tom seemed to hesitate wanting to argue further but finally nodded. "I will." He smiled shortly after as something else came to mind. "I'll even send you pictures and updates if you give me an address. That way you can see for yourself."

Mitsu smiled slightly at that idea and nodded but didn't attempt to say anything more. She was afraid she was going to end up crying.

At first Mitsu wanted to say no. She really didn't want to eat anything at the moment but as she gave it some more thought she realized it might be something to bring back to her friends. "Maybe a little in a bag...if we can get it that way."

"That's no problem," Tom assured. "I'll get it for you." He ran off shortly after only to return with a few bags full to the brim with multiple colors of cotton candy cobwebs. "Its not much but its a small thank you for taking care of Cos...." He paused then and thought about it. "What was it that you called her. Ziggy?"

Mitsu nodded. "Its short for Zig Zag." She explained.

Tom nodded. "I like that. Ziggy." He smiled patting the cat on his shoulder.

With the cotton candy in hand Mitsu pulled her bag around to stuff it inside since she would now have a little extra room to do so. The thought still saddened her but she couldn't change her mind now.

"Don't worry," Tom said when he saw that sad look. "I'll make sure to spoil her."

Mitsu nodded with a weak smile and turned to Shun to see if he was ready to go.

Shun's hand reached in and Ziggy's clawed paws reached out. As soon as the reaper was close enough Ziggy clung to his hand, claws digging in but still managed to purr as he patted her head. She allowed the pets for a short while before she began to kick at the hand with her back feet somewhat playfully. Things never seemed to change. At least it wasn't his face.

Mitsu stepped forward for one more pet as well, Ziggy relaxing as she rubbed her ears and scratched under her chin. When she was done she turned her attention to Tom and waited to see what he had to say.

"Actually, if you go back to town and get on the train its the next stop. Its not too long of a ride but kinda far to walk." He explained.

Once they had a destination Mitsu took Shun's hand and squeezed it lightly as they headed back to town and got on the train. Mitsu settled in quickly enough taking a seat next to the window and looking out as they train began its journey.

She didn't respond at first to Shun's question, her eyes looking sad before she turned toward her reaper and forced a smile on her lips. "I'll be f-fine." She fell silent for only a minute before she continued. "Do you t-think we'll really find Howling Crest?"

The lycan didn't say another word but at least nodded to his reassuring tone. She sat that way for a long while and it looked like she didn't quite know what to do with herself until she finally leaned toward Shun, bringing up her legs to rest in his lap while she rest her head on his shoulder. There was a new word in sign language she taught him shortly after. She pressed the tips of her fingers against her brows and gently pulled them down her face. Sad. That's how she was feeling though she knew she would have felt worse if she had brought Ziggy back with her.

The ride itself was a quiet one mostly as Mitsu sought to cuddle with Shun in the meantime until their stop was called out and the train began to slow. When they got out next the weather was no different but there was definitely a bite to the air as the temperature continued to drop. It also wasn't hard to see where the town got its name. Littered along the building tops were ravens of all sizes but all distinctly glossy black. They croaked and cawed out toward the new comers, some eyeing those coming off the train curiously.

The town of Raven's Nest was actually a fairly decent size and teaming with life. It was still old like the last town they had been in but a bit better condition. The buildings weren't riddled with cracks but instead looked crisp and freshly painted just a little old fashioned.

As they walked down the street Mitsu eyed the shops curiously pausing as they came up to a booth where an elderly woman was selling jewelry. Mitsu eyed the selections but as one would imagine most articles were raven themed.

"See anything you like, Missy?" The woman asked. She looked like an elderly witch, her clothing certainly giving that impression but her eyes were still bright and alert like that of a younger person.

There really wasn't anything that Mitsu was looking for but the need to get something was there. It seemed like another perfect gift opportunity. "I'm looking for s-something for a friend."

"Ah, a gift." The woman nodded knowingly. "I think I have a few things that might be of interest." She picked through the choices she had. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, ear cuffs, and rings. She set out a few select choices for Mitsu to look at and the lycan seemed torn. Hel didn't seem like the type to wear earrings so she set those back. A necklace might be easily caught and snapped while fighting and rings were small and could be lost. That left her with the bracelets and Mitsu picked up a rather thick metal one to inspect.

"Do you think Hel would like this?" She asked turning toward Shun.

Mitsu nodded. "I think it w-would work out nicely as a Christmastival gift." She turned to the woman and held up the bracelet. "How much is it?"

"That one is thirty silver seeds but since this is a gift how about twenty five?" It was probably a normal selling trick to make someone think they were getting a bargain but Mitsu seemed to think it was worth it for the piece. It certainly seemed like it was durable.

Pulling her bag around Mitsu fished around for a bit before she came out with a bag of her own money. She had been saving up too and carefully counted out the seeds she would need and handed them over. With her purchase paid for she placed it in her bag for safe keeping.

"Also..." Mitsu spoke up again turning toward the woman. "Have you heard of Howling Crest?"

The elderly woman tilted her head for a moment but nodded. "Been a long while since I've heard someone bring up that place. Its a fair distance from here to the north, a lot of hiking through the mountains I'm afraid. I can't even say if there is anyone still there. It's awfully cold."